electronic machines

Abstract

The present invention provides an electronic device that can reduce the power consumption related to communication in an electronic device equipped with a wired LAN communication unit and a wireless LAN communication unit. [Solution] The electronic device comprises a wired LAN communication unit capable of communicating with an external device (e.g., a PC), a wireless LAN communication unit capable of communicating with an external device, and a control unit. The control unit supplies power to one of the selected communication units from the wired LAN communication unit and the wireless LAN communication unit, and does not supply power to the other communication unit that is not selected.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device having a plurality of types of communication units.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for managing power consumption of a network interface. In this management method, when the user disables the wake-up function, the supply of power and clock signals to the MAC and PHY reception terminals can be interrupted. Further, when the user enables the wake-up function, power and clock signals can be supplied to the receivers of the media access control unit and the physical layer unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in an electronic device configured to be able to select a plurality of types of communication units, there is a problem that there is room for improvement in suppressing power consumption.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The electronic device for solving the above problems includes a wired LAN communication unit capable of communicating with an external device, a wireless LAN communication unit capable of communicating with an external device, and a control unit. The control unit supplies power to one selected communication unit of the wired LAN communication unit and the wireless LAN communication unit, and does not supply power to the other unselected communication unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] [Figure 1]Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an electronic device in an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the back of an electronic device. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of an electronic device. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing a program stored in ROM. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the functional configuration of the control unit. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a circuit block diagram showing the electrical configuration related to USB communication between an electronic device and an external device. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a circuit block diagram showing the electrical configuration for wired LAN communication between an electronic device and an external device. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a circuit block diagram showing the electrical configuration related to wireless LAN communication between an electronic device and an external device. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the selection screen that can be configured when an electronic device is powered on. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing communication configuration information stored in non-volatile memory. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing communication configuration information stored in non-volatile memory. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing communication configuration information stored in non-volatile memory. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a flowchart showing the communication unit power supply control routine. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram showing the selection screen displayed on an external device. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram showing a selection screen displayed on an electronic device. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a flowchart of the USB power supply control routine. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] The electronic devices of the embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figure 1, the electronic device 10 is configured to communicate using two or more communication methods, including wired LAN (Local Area Network) communication and wireless LAN communication. The electronic device 10 is, as an example, an image reading device 11 (scanner). In this embodiment, the characteristic configuration and functions related to communication of the electronic device 10 will be described using the image reading device 11 shown in Figure 1 as an example.

[0008] <Configuration of the image reading device 11> As shown in Figure 1, the image reading device 11 comprises a main body 12 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape and a cover 13 that is openable and closable on the top surface of the main body 12. The main body 12 has a front 12A, a right side 12B, a left side 12C, and a rear 12D. The cover 13 is equipped with an automatic document feeder 14. The cover 13 has a handle 13A. The user can open and close the cover 13 using the handle 13A. When the cover 13 is opened, the document glass 15 located on the top surface of the main body 12 is exposed. The user places the document D on the document glass 15 and then closes the cover 13 to hold the document D in place. In this state, the reading unit 23 (see Figure 3), which moves under the document glass 15 in the scanning direction, reads the image of the document D on the document glass 15.

[0009] The automatic document feeder 14 comprises a document support 16 on which the document D is placed (set), and a feed unit 17 that feeds the document D set on the document support 16 one by one. The document support 16 is provided with a pair of edge guides 18 that are slidable in the width direction X, which intersects (especially perpendicular to) the transport direction Y1 on which the document D is transported. The document D on the document support 16 is positioned in the width direction X relative to the feed opening 17A by being held between the pair of edge guides 18. The document D fed by the automatic document feeder 14 is read by the reading unit 23 at a reading position along the transport path, and then discharged to the discharge unit 19 located on the upper surface of the cover 13 below the document support 16.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the image reading apparatus 11 includes a display unit 20 and a touch panel 21 which is an example of an operation unit. The touch panel 21 is an input unit that can be input by a user's touch operation. The display unit 20 is arranged, for example, at a position visible from an operation position where the user operates the electronic device 10. The display unit 20 may be arranged on an operation panel provided at the front of the main body 12. The electronic device 10 includes a power switch 22 that can be operated by the user. Note that the operation unit may include one or more operation switches in addition to or instead of the touch panel 21.

[0011] The electronic device 10 has a communication function capable of communicating with an external device 100 (see FIG. 3). The electronic device 10 can support a plurality of types of communication methods. The external device 100 can communicate with the electronic device 10 by at least one communication method. The electronic device 10 receives instruction data from the external device 100 through communication. An image reading apparatus 11 which is an example of the electronic device 10 performs reception (receiving) of scan settings from the external device 100 and transmission of image data obtained by reading a document D to the external device 100 through communication by a wired or wireless communication method.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic device 10 includes a communication unit 24 in the main body 12. The communication unit 24 includes a wired LAN communication unit 30 and a wireless LAN communication unit 40. The electronic device 10 may include a third communication unit other than the wired LAN communication unit 30 and the wireless LAN communication unit 40. In this embodiment, the third communication unit is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) communication unit. The USB communication unit is constituted by a USB interface 50. Therefore, hereinafter, it is also referred to as the USB communication unit 50.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 2, the wired LAN communication unit 30, the wireless LAN communication unit 40, and the USB communication unit 50 are provided, for example, in a portion on the back surface 12D side of the main body 12. The three types of communication units 30, 40, and 50 may be arranged, for example, in a port arrangement area 12E at the lower part on the back surface 12D side. The three types of communication units 30, 40, 50, and the power supply unit 25 may be arranged in the port arrangement area 12E. The three types of communication units 30, 40, 50, and the power supply unit 25 may be arranged side by side in the width direction X. Note that the arrangement positions of each of the three types of communication units 30, 40, 50 are not limited to the back surface 12D side of the main body 12, and may be appropriate positions on other surface sides.

[0014] The wired LAN communication unit 30 has a LAN port 30A exposed from the main body 12. A LAN cable 26 can be connected to the LAN port 30A. The LAN cable 26 has plugs 26A (only one is shown in FIG. 2) at both ends. One plug 26A of the LAN cable 26 can be connected to the LAN port 30A. Note that the other plug 26A of the LAN cable 26 is connected to the LAN port of the second wired LAN communication unit 120 (see FIG. 7) on the external device 100 side. Thereby, the electronic device 10 and the external device 100 are communicably connected through the LAN cable 26.

[0015] The wireless LAN communication unit 40 is housed in a housing 12F constituting the main body 12. The wireless LAN communication unit 40 is, for example, a Wi-Fi communication unit. The USB interface 50 enables communication with the external device 100 by being connected to the external device 100 in a wired manner. When the USB interface 50 is connected to the external device 100 through a USB cable 27, it functions as a USB communication unit 50 that enables communication between the electronic device 10 and the external device 100.

[0016] The USB interface 50 has a USB port 50A exposed from the main body 12. One plug 27A of the USB cable 27 can be connected to the USB port 50A. Note that the other plug 27A of the USB cable 27 is connected to the USB port 110A (see FIG. 3) on the external device 100 side.

[0017] The power supply unit 25 shown in Figure 2 has a power port 25A exposed from the main body 12. A power plug 28A at one end of the power cable 28 can be connected to the power port 25A. The other end of the power cable 28 is connected to an AC power source via a rectifier. The power supply unit 25 converts the voltage supplied via the power cable 28 into several predetermined voltages. The power supply unit 25 supplies predetermined voltages corresponding to the rated voltages to each part of the electronic device 10.

[0018] In Figure 2, the communication cables 26 and 27 are connected to ports 30A and 50A, but the communication method used varies depending on the user. If the user wants to use the wired LAN communication unit 30, they connect (insert) the plug 26A of cable 26 to LAN port 30A. If the user wants to use the wireless LAN communication unit 40, they may not connect (insert) cable 26 to LAN port 30A. Also, at least one of the cables 26 and 27 may remain plugged into the port. The LAN can connect to multiple external devices 100 that support wired LAN simultaneously. Therefore, generally, the plug 26A of LAN cable 26 is often left connected to LAN port 30A. On the other hand, USB is usually connected to external devices 100 using USB cable 27. The plug 27A of USB cable 27 is relatively less often left inserted into USB port 50A. When a user wishes to use USB communication, they insert plug 27A of USB cable 27 into USB port 50A. However, whether or not cables 26 and 27 are connected depends entirely on the user's usage.

[0019] <Electrical configuration of electronic equipment and external devices> Next, with reference to Figure 3, the electrical configuration of the electronic device 10 and the external device 100 will be described. As shown in Figure 3, the external device 100 may be a personal computer 101 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "PC101"). The external device 100 may include a display unit 102 that functions as a notification unit and an input operation unit 103. The display unit 102 may be a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL display unit, etc. The display unit 102 may have a touch panel function. In this case, the touch panel 21 may constitute at least a part of the input operation unit 103. The input operation unit 103 may include a keyboard or a pointing device such as a mouse. Note that the external device 100 is not limited to the PC101 shown in Figure 3, but may also be a smartphone, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet PC, etc.

[0020] The external device 100 may have a second wired LAN communication unit 120 (see Figure 7) and a second wireless LAN communication unit 130 (see Figure 8) configured to communicate with the wired LAN communication unit 30 and the wireless LAN communication unit 40 of the electronic device 10. Alternatively, the external device 100 may consist of only one of the second wired LAN communication unit 120 and the second wireless LAN communication unit 130.

[0021] As shown in Figure 3, the electronic device 10 is connected to the external device 100 via the communication unit 24. The electronic device 10 can communicate with the external device 100 via a wired LAN through the LAN cable 26, or wirelessly via a wireless LAN. In addition, the electronic device 10 can communicate with the external device 100 via USB by connecting the USB interface 50 to the external device 100 via the USB cable 27. Users who choose USB communication connect the electronic device 10 and the external device 100 via the USB cable 27.

[0022] External device 100 (PC101) includes a software-based read control unit 105, which is installed when a scan driver program is installed. The read control unit 105 includes a scan driver. The read control unit 105 causes the electronic device 10 to perform predetermined operations. The read control unit 105 functions as a second control unit that gives instructions to the electronic device 10 via communication. External device 100 includes a second communication unit which is at least one of a second wired LAN communication unit 120 (see Figure 7) that can communicate with the wired LAN communication unit 30 of the electronic device 10 and a second wireless LAN communication unit 130 (see Figure 8) that can communicate with the wireless LAN communication unit 40. PC101, an example of external device 100, has a second wired LAN communication unit 120 and a second wireless LAN communication unit 130 as its second communication unit. Furthermore, the external device 100 includes a USB communication unit 110, which is an example of a third communication unit on the external device 100 side, and is capable of communicating with a USB communication unit 50, which is an example of a third communication unit on the electronic device 10 side.

[0023] In this embodiment, where the electronic device 10 is an image reading device 11, the reading control unit 105 has the function of issuing instructions to the image reading device 11 to read the document D. The reading control unit 105 has the function of transmitting reading instruction information (scan job data), which includes reading condition information and various commands specified by the user through the operation of the input operation unit 103 of the external device 100, to the image reading device 11. In other words, the user can instruct the electronic device 10 to perform a predetermined operation (e.g., a reading operation) using the touch panel 21, which is the input operation unit on the electronic device 10 side, or it is also possible to instruct the electronic device 10 to perform a predetermined operation (e.g., a reading operation) using the input operation unit 103 on the external device 100 (PC 101) side which has the reading control unit 105. The reading control unit 105 has the function of displaying various selection screens that allow the user to input or select values ​​to instruct or set for the electronic device 10. The reading control unit 105 has the function of displaying a selection screen (not shown) for selecting values ​​of operation condition information (e.g., reading condition information) for instructing a predetermined operation from the external device 100. The reading control unit 105 has a function to display a selection screen (see Figure 14) for setting and selecting settings related to communication with the electronic device 10. In addition, when the external device 100 is designated as the destination for image data transmission, the reading control unit 105 receives the image data of the original document D acquired by the electronic device 10 through a predetermined operation.

[0024] The electronic device 10 has the aforementioned communication unit 24. The communication unit 24 includes a wired LAN communication unit 30 capable of communicating with an external device 100, and a wireless LAN communication unit 40 capable of communicating with an external device 100.

[0025] The wired LAN communication unit 30 is, for example, an Ether IC 31 (PHY) and a connector 32 (RJ45) (see Figure 7). The wired LAN communication unit 30 may also include other wired communication units besides the Ether IC 31, as long as it is possible to configure a wired LAN.

[0026] The wireless LAN communication unit 40 is composed of, for example, a Wi-Fi module 41 and a Wi-Fi connector 42 (see Figure 8). The wireless LAN communication unit 40 may also include wireless communication units other than the Wi-Fi module 41, as long as they can configure a wireless LAN.

[0027] The electronic device 10 includes a control unit 60. The control unit 60 may include, for example, a ROM 70 and a CPU 80. The control unit 60 is not limited to performing software processing for all the processes it performs. For example, the control unit 60 may include a dedicated hardware circuit (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit: ASIC) that performs hardware processing for at least a portion of the processes it performs. That is, the control unit 60 can be configured as a circuit including one or more processors that operate according to a computer program (software), one or more dedicated hardware circuits that perform at least a portion of the various processes, or a combination thereof. The processor includes a CPU and memory such as RAM and ROM, and the memory stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute processes. Memory, or computer-readable media, includes any available media that can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer.

[0028] The control unit 60 may be, for example, a System-on-a-chip (SoC) including a ROM 70 and a CPU 80. The electronic device 10 includes a USB communication unit 61. The USB communication unit 61 may be part of the SoC. The control unit 60 does not have to be an SoC. In this case, the ROM 70, CPU 80, and USB communication unit 61 may be mounted on a single motherboard or other circuit board. Alternatively, the USB communication unit 61 may be mounted on a separate circuit board from the SoC containing the ROM 70 and CPU 80.

[0029] The electronic device 10 includes a USB communication unit 61 that functions as a detection unit for detecting a communicable connection of an external device 100 to a USB communication unit 50, which is an example of a third communication unit. The USB communication unit 61 may be included in the SoC that constitutes the control unit 60. The USB communication unit 61 is, for example, a USB device.

[0030] The control unit 60 is connected to the RAM 65 via a bus. The RAM 65 temporarily stores the read data read by the reading unit 23, as well as data used when processing the read data as an image. The ROM 70 has a non-volatile memory 70A, such as a rewritable EEPROM. The program and data stored in the non-volatile memory 70A can be preserved even when the power to the electronic device 10 is cut off, and can also be rewritten.

[0031] If the electronic device 10 is an image reading device 11, a reading unit 23 is connected to the control unit 60. The control unit 60 may cause the reading unit 23 to perform a reading operation to read a document, or it may perform predetermined image processing on the reading data input from the reading unit 23 to generate image data in a predetermined format. The image reading device 11 may be configured to accept the file format and destination of the image data. The image reading device 11 can receive reading jobs that include reading conditions instructed by the user operating an input operation unit consisting of a touch panel 21.

[0032] In other words, the user can assign a reading job to the control unit 60 in the image reading device 11 by operating the touch panel 21. Alternatively, the user can assign a reading job to the control unit 60 via wired or wireless communication from the external device 100 by operating the input operation unit 103 of the external device 100, which is connected to the image reading device 11 for communication.

[0033] Whether the operation is performed from the touch panel 21 or from the input operation unit 103 of the external device 100, the reading job includes reading condition information that defines the reading operation performed by the control unit 60 via the reading unit 23. The reading condition information may include various condition data regarding the document size, reading side (single-sided / double-sided), reading color (color / monochrome / grayscale), file format, and destination. The file format may include at least one of the following: PDF, JPEG, TIFF, GIF, and PNG. The file format may be compressed or uncompressed. If it is compressed, it may be "lossless compression" or "lossy compression". JPEG is an example of a lossy format, while PNG and GIF are examples of lossless formats.

[0034] The destination can be specified as an external device 100. The external device 100 may be the PC 101 shown in Figure 3, or it may be a smartphone, mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), tablet PC, etc.

[0035] The user may specify the method for sending image data as one of the scan settings (reading condition information). The sending method may be at least one of the following: email forwarding by specifying the recipient's email address; data transfer to save to a folder on external device 100 via wired or wireless communication; or saving to a USB memory connected to (inserted into) the USB terminal.

[0036] The control unit 60 is electrically connected to the display unit 20, touch panel 21, power switch 22, reading unit 23, power supply unit 25, RAM 65, wired LAN communication unit 30, wireless LAN communication unit 40, and USB interface 50. The RAM 65 temporarily stores image data read by the reading unit 23 from the original document D. The RAM 65 is also used for reading and writing data when performing predetermined image processing on the image data. Predetermined image processing includes cropping, tilt correction, rotation, blank page removal, and file format conversion.

[0037] The control unit 60 supplies power to the selected communication unit among the wired LAN communication unit 30 and the wireless LAN communication unit 40, and does not supply power to the non-selected communication unit. That is, the control unit 60 has a switch capable of supplying power to the physical layer of the selected communication unit among the wired LAN communication unit 30 and the wireless LAN communication unit 40. The control unit 60 turns on the switch corresponding to the selected communication unit among the wired LAN communication unit 30 and the wireless LAN communication unit 40, and turns off the switch corresponding to the non-selected communication unit.

[0038] The USB communication unit 61 functions as a detection unit that detects that the electronic device 10 is connected to the external device 100 when the plug 27A of the USB cable 27 is connected to the USB port 50A. When the control unit 60 detects that the plug 27A of the USB cable 27 is connected (inserted) to the USB port 50A, the control unit 60 displays selection screens 150, 160 (see FIGS. 14 and 15) for confirming whether to select USB communication on the display units 20, 102. When USB communication is selected, the control unit 60 turns off the switches corresponding to the wired LAN communication unit 30 and the wireless LAN communication unit 40 respectively. The control unit 60 performs communication unit power supply control to supply power to one selected communication unit among the communication units 30, 40 and not supply power to the other non-selected communication unit by executing the program stored in the ROM 70 by the CPU 80.

[0039] <Configuration of ROM 70> Referring to FIG. 4, the configuration of the ROM 70 will be described. The ROM 70 stores a program PR executed by the CPU 80. The program PR includes various programs 71 to 78. That is, the ROM 70 stores a scan setting reception program 71, a wired LAN load switch control program 72, a wireless LAN load switch control program 73, a USB insertion detection program 74, a communication unit selection reception program 75, a communication unit identification program 76, a traffic detection program 77, and a power supply amount control program 78.

[0040] <Functional configuration of control unit 60> Referring to Figure 5, the configuration of the functions of the control unit 60 will be described. The control unit 60 includes the following parts 81 to 88 as functional units realized by the CPU 80 executing the programs 71 to 78 stored in the ROM 70. Each of the parts 81 to 88 is realized by the CPU 80 executing the programs 71 to 78. Specifically, the control unit 60 includes the following functional units: scan setting reception unit 81, wired LAN load switch control unit 82, wireless LAN load switch control unit 83, USB insertion detection unit 84, communication unit selection reception unit 85, communication unit identification unit 86, communication volume detection unit 87, and power supply volume control unit 88.

[0041] The scan setting reception unit 81 accepts the scan settings selected by the user. The wired LAN load switch control unit 82 controls the load switch 33 (see Figure 7) which switches the supply / disconnection (ON / OFF) of power to the physical layer of the wired LAN communication unit 30.

[0042] The wireless LAN load switch control unit 83 controls the load switch 43 (see Figure 8) which switches the supply / cutoff (ON / OFF) of power to the physical layer of the wireless LAN communication unit 40. The USB insertion detection unit 84 detects the insertion of the plug 27A of the USB cable 27 into the USB port 50A. In other words, the USB insertion detection unit 84 detects the connection of an external device 100 to the USB interface 50 via the USB cable 27.

[0043] The communication unit selection reception unit 85 accepts the communication unit selected by the user. More specifically, if there are multiple communication units with higher priority among the various types of communication units 30, 40, and 50, the communication unit selection reception unit 85 accepts one communication unit selected by the user from among them.

[0044] The communication unit identification unit 86 identifies one communication unit to be used from among several types of communication units 30, 40, and 50. The communication unit identification unit 86 identifies one communication unit based on user selection, detection of radio waves, and detection of cable connections 26 and 27.

[0045] When the identified one communication unit is the USB communication unit 50, the traffic detection unit 87 detects the traffic of the USB communication unit 50 in use. The power supply amount control unit 88 controls the supply amount of the power supply power to the USB communication unit 50 according to the presence or absence of communication determined based on the traffic of the USB communication unit 50. When there is communication in the USB communication unit 50, the power supply amount control unit 88 supplies the specified power supply power, and when the communication ends, the power supply amount is reduced from the specified power supply power. When the communication of the USB communication unit 50 is detected again after the power reduction, the power supply amount control unit 88 returns the supplied power to the specified power supply power.

[0046] <Circuit configuration related to USB communication> Referring to FIG. 6, the configuration related to USB communication will be described. The electronic device 10 includes a USB interface 50 and a USB communication unit 61. A PC 101, which is an example of an external device 100, includes a reading control unit 105 that functions as a second control unit, a USB communication unit 104, and a USB interface 110. The USB interface 110 is a USB communication unit on the external device 100 side.

[0047] The USB interface 50 has a power line 51 (VBUS), a signal line 52 (D+), a signal line 53 (D-), and a ground line 54 (GND). One end of the ground line 54 is grounded. One end of each of the power line 51 and the signal lines 52, 53 (D-) is connected to the USB communication unit 61 in the control unit 60. The other ends of the power line 51, the signal lines 52, 53, and the ground line 54 are connected to the USB port 50A on the electronic device 10 side. The control unit 60 includes a switch 62 on the power line 51. The USB communication unit 61 performs control to switch the switch 62. The USB communication control unit 60A is constituted by the USB communication unit 61, the USB interface 50, and parts such as the switch 62.

[0048] The USB interface 110 has a power line 111 (VBUS), a signal line 112 (D+), a signal line 113 (D-), and a ground line 114 (GND). One end of each of the power line 111 and signal lines 112 and 113 is connected to the USB communication unit 104 in the PC 101. A power potential of, for example, +5.0V is applied to the power line 111. The other ends of each of the power line 111, signal lines 112 and 113, and ground line 114 are connected to the USB port 110A on the external device 100.

[0049] The USB cable 27 has a power line 271 (VBUS), a signal line 272 (D+), a signal line 273 (D-), and a ground line 274 (GND). Both ends of the power line 271, signal lines 272 and 273, and ground line 274 are connected to the plug 27A (see Figure 3).

[0050] As shown in Figure 6, when the electronic device 10 and the external device 100 are connected via the USB cable 27, the USB communication units 61 and 104 are connected via power lines 111, 271, and 51. When the switch 62 is ON and the electronic device 10 and the external device 100 are connected via the USB cable 27, USB power at the power supply voltage (+5V) is supplied from the external device 100 to the USB communication unit 61. The USB communication unit 61 detects the USB connection based on the supplied power supply voltage. The USB communication unit 61 functions as a detection unit that detects the USB connection. The USB communication unit 61 establishes communication by responding to a request from the USB communication unit 104 on the external device 100 side.

[0051] When the USB communication unit 61 turns switch 62 OFF, the supply of USB power from the external device 100 to the USB communication unit 61 is stopped. The USB communication unit 61 can adjust the amount of USB power supplied by controlling the ON / OFF state of switch 62.

[0052] <Configuration related to wired LAN communication> Next, with reference to Figure 7, the configuration related to wired LAN communication will be described. The electronic device 10 includes a wired LAN communication unit 30 capable of communicating with an external device 100. The wired LAN communication unit 30 includes an Ether IC 31 and a connector 32. The Ether IC 31 is the physical layer (PHY) of the OSI reference model. The connector 32 is, for example, an 8-pin "RJ45". The connector 32 has a LAN port 30A (see also Figure 2).

[0053] The control unit 60, the Ether IC 31, and the connector 32 are connected in series. The control unit 60 is supplied with a power supply potential V+ (e.g., +3.3V) through the power supply line 34. The control unit 60 is connected to the Ether IC 31 through the signal line 35. The Ether IC 31 is connected to the connector 32 through the signal line 36. When using wired LAN communication, the LAN port 30A of the electronic device 10 and the LAN port 120A (see Figure 3) of the second wired LAN communication unit 120 on the external device 100 are connected via the LAN cable 26.

[0054] Furthermore, the power supply potential V+ is applied to the Ether IC 31 and connector 32 through the power line 37. A load switch 33 is provided on the power line 37. The control unit 60 controls the ON / OFF state of the load switch 33 via the signal line 38.

[0055] When the load switch 33 is ON, power at the power supply voltage V+ is supplied to the Ether IC 31 and connector 32. In other words, the Ether IC 31 is ON. When the Ether IC 31 is ON, wired communication with an external device 100 such as a PC 101 is possible via the LAN cable 26 inserted into the LAN port 30A of the connector 32 (see also Figure 2). When the load switch 33 is OFF, the power supply to the Ether IC 31 and connector 32 is cut off. Hereafter, the load switch 33 that switches the power supply / cutoff to the wired LAN communication unit 30 will also be referred to as the "first switch 33".

[0056] <Configuration related to wireless LAN communication> Next, with reference to Figure 8, the configuration related to wireless LAN communication will be described. The electronic device 10 includes a wireless LAN communication unit 40 capable of communicating with an external device 100. The wireless LAN communication unit 40 includes a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) module 41 and a Wi-Fi connector 42. The control unit 60 is connected to the Wi-Fi module 41 via the Wi-Fi connector 42. A power supply potential V+ (for example, +3.3V) is applied to the control unit 60 through a power supply line 44.

[0057] The control unit 60 is connected to the Wi-Fi connector 42 via a signal line 45. The Wi-Fi connector 42 is connected to the Wi-Fi module 41 via a signal line 46. The power supply potential V+ is applied to the Wi-Fi connector 42 via a power line 47. A load switch 43 is provided on the power line 47. The control unit 60 controls the ON / OFF switching of the load switch 43 via a signal line 48.

[0058] When the load switch 43 is ON, power at the power supply voltage V+ is supplied to the Wi-Fi connector 42. In other words, the Wi-Fi connector 42 turns ON. When the Wi-Fi connector 42 is ON, power is supplied to the Wi-Fi module 41. In other words, the Wi-Fi module 41 turns ON. When the Wi-Fi module 41 is ON, wireless communication with the external device 100, such as the PC 101, is possible via the second wireless LAN communication unit 130 of the external device 100.

[0059] When the load switch 43 is OFF, power at the power supply voltage V+ is not supplied to the Wi-Fi connector 42. In other words, the Wi-Fi connector 42 is OFF. When the Wi-Fi connector 42 is OFF, power is not supplied to the Wi-Fi module 41. Therefore, the Wi-Fi module 41 is OFF. Hereafter, the load switch 43 that switches the power supply / cutoff to the wireless LAN communication unit 40 will also be referred to as the "second switch 43".

[0060] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the electronic device 10 includes a first switch 33 for switching the supply / cutoff of power to the wired LAN communication unit 30, and a second switch 43 for switching the supply / cutoff of power to the wireless LAN communication unit 40.

[0061] <Communication settings screen to be configured when the electronic device 10 is powered on> Referring to Figure 9, the communication settings screen 90 that can be set when the electronic device 10 is powered on will be described. When the power switch 22 of the electronic device 10 is turned ON, the home screen is displayed on the display unit 20. The home screen includes multiple items for selecting scan settings and communication methods. The user selects a communication method setting item on the home screen, for example, by operating the touch panel 21. When the control unit 60 receives a selection signal from the touch panel 21 indicating that a communication method setting item has been touched, it displays the communication settings screen 90 shown in Figure 9 on the display unit 20.

[0062] The communication settings screen 90 shown in Figure 9 includes a wireless communication selection unit 91 for selecting a wireless LAN connection and a wired communication selection unit 92 for selecting a wired LAN connection. The user selects one of the two selection units 91 and 92 by, for example, touching it. The communication settings screen 90 is a selection screen that prompts the user to select one of the wired LAN communication unit 30 and the wireless LAN communication unit 40 to be used primarily for communication with the external device 100. The touch panel 21, which is the operation unit, is operated when selecting one of the wired LAN communication unit 30 and the wireless LAN communication unit 40. One of the two selection units 91 and 92 is selected by operation of the touch panel 21.

[0063] The control unit 60 displays the selection result selected by the user on the touch panel 21 on the communication settings screen 90 on the display unit 20. Specifically, when the control unit 60 recognizes the communication method selected by the user on the communication settings screen 90 by touch operation on the touch panel 21, it displays the highlighting unit 93 shown in Figure 9 for the selected communication method. In the example shown in Figure 9, when a wireless LAN connection is selected, the highlighting unit 93 shown by a solid line in the figure is displayed in the selection area. Also, when a wired LAN connection is selected, the highlighting unit 93 shown by a dashed line in Figure 9 is displayed. The highlighting unit 93 may surround the item area with a border, or it may change the background color of the item area or use other display modes such as active display. In the case of active display, other inactive items are grayed out, for example.

[0064] The control unit 60 writes the selection result made on the communication settings screen 90 to the non-volatile memory 70A as communication setting information 95 (see Figures 10 to 12). Each time the electronic device 10 is started up, the control unit 60 controls the power supply to the communication units 30 and 40 based on the communication setting information 95 read from the non-volatile memory 70A. If one of the communication units, the wired LAN communication unit 30 or the wireless LAN communication unit 40, is selected, the control unit 60 turns on the switch corresponding to that communication unit and turns off the switch corresponding to the other communication unit that is not selected. Specifically, if the wired LAN communication unit 30 is selected on the communication settings screen 90, the control unit 60 turns on the first switch 33 and turns off the second switch 43. Also, if the wireless LAN communication unit 40 is selected on the communication settings screen 90, the control unit 60 turns on the second switch 43 and turns off the first switch 33. Furthermore, if the USB communication unit 61 detects a USB connection with an external device 100 via the insertion of a USB cable 27 into the USB port 50A, the control unit 60 may turn off one of the switches 33 and 43 that is currently ON during the power supply control of the communication unit, as described later.

[0065] <Communication settings information stored in non-volatile memory> Next, with reference to Figures 10 to 12, the communication setting information 95 written to the ROM 70 will be described. The communication setting information 95 is written to the rewritable non-volatile memory 70A in the ROM 70. The communication setting information 95 includes enable / disable information for two types of communication units 30 and 40, which are set by the user through the communication setting screen 90. As shown in Figures 10 to 12, the enable / disable information for the two types of communication units 30 and 40 may be indicated by the ON / OFF information of the load switches 33 and 43 corresponding to the two types of communication units 30 and 40.

[0066] When the electronic device 10 is started up, the control unit 60 refers to the communication setting information 95 to identify which of the two types of communication units 30 and 40 should be enabled. When the user starts up the electronic device 10 by operating the power switch 22, the control unit 60 performs switch control based on the identification result, turning ON the switch corresponding to the communication unit to be enabled and OFF the switch corresponding to the communication unit to be disabled.

[0067] Figure 10 shows the communication settings information 95 that is set when a wired LAN connection is selected on the communication settings screen 90 shown in Figure 9. The non-volatile memory 70A shown in Figure 10 stores ON / OFF information for each of the wired LAN load switch 33 and wireless LAN load switch 43, corresponding to the settings set by the user on the communication settings screen 90. On the communication settings screen 90, one of the two selected connections, wireless LAN connection or wired LAN connection, is enabled, and the other, which is not selected, is disabled. Of the two load switches 33 and 43, the switch corresponding to the enabled LAN connection is turned ON, and the switch corresponding to the disabled LAN connection is turned OFF.

[0068] Figure 10 shows the communication settings information 95 when the wired LAN connection is enabled when the electronic device 10 is powered on. In other words, it is the communication settings information 95 when the wired LAN connection is enabled when the power is turned on. The non-volatile memory 70A is set to ON for the wired LAN load switch 33 and OFF for the wireless LAN load switch 43 as the communication settings information 95.

[0069] When the electronic device 10 is started up, the control unit 60 supplies power to the wired LAN communication unit 30 but does not supply power to the wireless LAN communication unit 40. For details, when the electronic device 10 is started up, the control unit 60 refers to the communication setting information 95 shown in Figure 10. The control unit 60 turns on the wired LAN load switch 33 which is set to "ON" in the communication setting information 95, and turns off the wireless LAN load switch 43 which is set to "OFF".

[0070] Figure 11 shows the communication settings information 95 stored in the non-volatile memory 70A when a wireless LAN connection is selected on the communication settings screen 90. The non-volatile memory 70A is set to OFF for the wired LAN load switch 33 and ON for the wireless LAN load switch 43 as the communication settings information 95.

[0071] When the electronic device 10 is started up, the control unit 60 supplies power to the wireless LAN communication unit 40 but does not supply power to the wired LAN communication unit 30. For details, when the electronic device 10 is started up, the control unit 60 refers to the communication setting information 95 shown in Figure 11. The control unit 60 turns off the wired LAN load switch 33 which is set to "OFF" in the communication setting information 95, and turns on the wireless LAN load switch 43 which is set to "ON".

[0072] Figure 12 shows the communication settings information 95 stored in the non-volatile memory 70A when neither wired nor wireless LAN connection is selected on the communication settings screen 90. This communication settings information 95 is also the initial setting before the user makes any changes. The non-volatile memory 70A stores the communication settings information 95 in which both the wired LAN load switch 33 and the wireless LAN load switch 43 are set to OFF.

[0073] When the electronic device 10 is powered up, the control unit 60 does not supply power to the wired LAN communication unit 30 and the wireless LAN communication unit 40. Specifically, when the electronic device 10 is powered up, the control unit 60 refers to the communication setting information 95 shown in Figure 12. The control unit 60 turns off both the wired LAN load switch 33 and the wireless LAN load switch 43, which are set to "OFF" in the communication setting information 95.

[0074] The control unit 60 does not supply power to the wired LAN communication unit 30 and the wireless LAN communication unit 40 unless the detection unit detects a connection to the USB communication unit 50, which is an example of a third communication unit, and neither the wired LAN communication unit 30 nor the wireless LAN communication unit 40 has been selected.

[0075] <Operation of the Embodiment> Next, the operation of the electronic device 10 will be explained with reference to Figures 13 to 16, etc. First, the user starts up the electronic device 10 by operating the power switch 22. When the electronic device 10 is started up (power ON), the control unit 60 controls the ON / OFF status of the load switches 33 and 43 based on the communication setting information 95 shown in Figures 10 to 12, which is read from the non-volatile memory 70A.

[0076] In the initial state before configuring settings on the communication settings screen 90, the non-volatile memory 70A stores communication setting information 95, which shows both wired and wireless LAN connections as shown in Figure 12, set to OFF.

[0077] A user who wishes to use a wired LAN connection in the electronic device 10 selects the wired communication selection unit 92 on the communication settings screen 90. The user selects the wired communication selection unit 92 by operating the touch panel 21. In this case, the communication setting information 95 shown in Figure 10 is set in the non-volatile memory 70A.

[0078] A user who wishes to use a wireless LAN connection in the electronic device 10 selects the wireless communication selection unit 91 on the communication settings screen 90. The user selects the wireless communication selection unit 91 by operating the touch panel 21. In this case, the communication setting information 95 shown in Figure 11 is set in the non-volatile memory 70A.

[0079] Users who wish to use a USB connection with the electronic device 10 can either not make any settings on the communication settings screen 90, or revert to OFF by selecting the already set ON option again using the touch panel 21. The non-volatile memory 70A stores the communication setting information 95 shown in Figure 12.

[0080] The following describes the communication unit power supply control routine shown in Figure 13, which is executed by the control unit 60. First, in step S11, the control unit 60 determines whether or not a USB connection has been detected. When a user inserts the plug 27A of the USB cable 27 connected to the USB interface 110 of the external device 100 into the USB port 50A, or when the plug 27A is already inserted into the USB port 50A, the USB interface 50, which functions as a detection unit, detects a USB connection based on the insertion of the USB terminal. Based on the detection result of the USB interface 50, the control unit 60 proceeds to step S12 if it determines that there is no USB connection, and to step S17 if it determines that a USB connection has been made.

[0081] In step S12, the control unit 60 determines whether wired LAN is selected on the touch panel. The control unit 60 determines whether wired LAN is selected by referring to the communication setting information 95 shown in Figures 10 to 12, which is read from the non-volatile memory 70A. If wired LAN is not selected, i.e., if wireless LAN is selected, the process proceeds to step S13; if wired LAN is selected, the process proceeds to step S15.

[0082] In step S13, the control unit 60 determines that the power supply destination is the wireless LAN communication unit 40. In other words, when the USB insertion is not detected, and the communication setting information 95 shown in Figure 11 is used, the control unit 60 determines that the power supply destination is the wireless LAN communication unit 40.

[0083] In the next step S14, the control unit 60 cuts off the power supply to the wired LAN communication unit 30. That is, the control unit 60 supplies power to the selected wireless LAN communication unit 40 from the wired LAN communication unit 30 and does not supply power to the wired LAN communication unit 30 that is not selected. Specifically, the control unit 60 turns ON the second switch 43 corresponding to the selected wireless LAN communication unit 40 from the wired LAN communication unit 30 and turns OFF the first switch 33 corresponding to the wired LAN communication unit 30 that is not selected. Therefore, when the electronic device 10 is started up, if the control unit 60 has not detected a USB connection, it supplies power to the selected wireless LAN communication unit 40 and does not supply power to the wired LAN communication unit 30 that is not selected, based on the communication setting information 95 shown in Figure 11.

[0084] In step S15, the control unit 60 determines that the power supply destination is the wired LAN communication unit 30. In the next step S16, the control unit 60 cuts off the power supply to the wireless LAN communication unit 40. That is, the control unit 60 supplies power to the selected wired LAN communication unit 30 from the wired LAN communication unit 30 and does not supply power to the unselected wireless LAN communication unit 40. Specifically, the control unit 60 turns ON the switch 33 corresponding to the selected wired LAN communication unit 30 from the wired LAN communication unit 30 and OFF the switch 43 corresponding to the unselected wireless LAN communication unit 40. Therefore, when the electronic device 10 is started up, if the control unit 60 has not detected a USB connection, it supplies power to the selected wired LAN communication unit 30 and does not supply power to the unselected wireless LAN communication unit 40 based on the communication setting information 95 shown in Figure 10. Note that when the communication setting information 95 shown in Figure 12 is used, neither the wired LAN communication unit 30 nor the wireless LAN communication unit 40 is determined as a power supply destination. Therefore, the control unit 60 turns both switches 33 and 43 OFF, cutting off the power supply to the wired LAN communication unit 30 and the wireless LAN communication unit 40.

[0085] In step S17, the control unit 60 determines whether wired LAN is selected on the touch panel. This determination process is the same as in step S12. The control unit 60 refers to the communication setting information 95 shown in Figures 10 to 12, which is read from the non-volatile memory 70A. If wired LAN is not selected, the control unit 60 proceeds to step S18; if wired LAN is selected, it proceeds to step S27.

[0086] In step S18, the control unit 60 determines whether wireless LAN is selected on the touch panel. The control unit 60 refers to the communication setting information 95 shown in Figures 10 to 12, which is read from the non-volatile memory 70A. If wireless LAN is not selected, the control unit 60 proceeds to step S19; if wireless LAN is selected, it proceeds to step S21.

[0087] In step S19, the control unit 60 determines that the power supply destination is the USB communication unit 50. That is, when the insertion of a USB terminal is detected, the control unit 60 determines that the power supply destination is the USB communication unit 50 when the communication setting information 95 shown in Figure 12 is obtained. In other words, the control unit 60 determines that the power supply destination is the USB communication unit 50 when the USB communication unit 61, which functions as a detection unit, detects a communicationable connection of the external device 100 to the USB communication unit 50, which is an example of a third communication unit, and neither the wired LAN communication unit 30 nor the wireless LAN communication unit 40 is selected.

[0088] In the next step S20, the control unit 60 cuts off the power supply to the wired LAN communication unit 30 and the wireless LAN communication unit 40. That is, the control unit 60 does not supply power to the wired LAN communication unit 30 and the wireless LAN communication unit 40 unless the USB communication unit 61, which functions as a detection unit, detects a communicable connection of an external device 100 to the USB communication unit 50, which is an example of a third communication unit, and neither the wired LAN communication unit 30 nor the wireless LAN communication unit 40 is selected. Specifically, the control unit 60 turns off the first switch 33 corresponding to the wired LAN communication unit 30 and the second switch 43 corresponding to the wireless LAN communication unit 40. Therefore, when the electronic device 10 is started up or after it has been started up, if the plug 27A of the USB cable 27 is inserted into the USB port 50A, the control unit 60 does not supply power to either the wired LAN communication unit 30 or the wireless LAN communication unit 40 that has not been selected, based on the communication setting information 95 shown in Figure 12.

[0089] In step S21, the control unit 60 displays a selection screen. Here, the user can instruct the electronic device 10 to perform a predetermined operation (scan operation) in two ways. One way is to select an operation setting (e.g., scan setting) by operating the PC 101, which is an example of an external device 100, and instruct the electronic device 10 to perform the predetermined operation (e.g., scan operation). The other way is to select an operation setting by operating the touch panel 21 of the electronic device 10 and instruct the electronic device 10 to perform the predetermined operation. In the former case, the read control unit 105 (e.g., scan driver), which is an example of a second control unit, is started on the PC 101. The control unit 60 instructs the read control unit 105 to display the selection screen 150 shown in Figure 14 on the display unit 102 of the PC 102. In the latter case, the control unit 60 displays the selection screen 160 shown in Figure 15 on the display unit 20 of the electronic device 10.

[0090] Prior to the display of the selection screen 150 shown in Figure 14, the reading control unit 105 searches for the communication unit of the electronic device 10 that can communicate with the PC 101. For example, if the user has selected the wireless communication selection unit 91 on the communication setting screen 90 shown in Figure 9, the control unit 60, referring to the communication setting information 95 shown in Figure 11, turns the first switch 33 OFF and the second switch 43 ON. As a result of the search, "Wireless LAN" and "USB" are found as currently valid connection methods. In other words, if the USB cable 27 is inserted into the USB port 50A while "Wireless LAN" is already selected, the search will find "Wireless LAN" and "USB".

[0091] The reading control unit 105 displays a selection screen 150 on the display unit 102 that includes a list of selection items 151 and 152 corresponding to the communication units found as a result of the search. Specifically, the selection screen 150 shown in Figure 14 includes a list of two selection items 151 and 152: "Network 01," which is the name for network communication common to LAN communication units 30 and 40, and "USB," which is the name for the USB communication unit. The model name and connection address of the electronic device 10 are displayed in the selection items 151 and 152. Note that there is no situation in which both the wired LAN communication unit 30 and the wireless LAN communication unit 40 are turned ON at the same time. Therefore, when the user selects "Network 01," the control unit 60 can determine whether the selection is for wired LAN or wireless LAN.

[0092] The selection screen 150 has various buttons below the list of communication units. The selection screen 150 includes an add button 153, a delete button 154, an update button 155, an OK button 156, and a cancel button 157. The control unit 60 prompts the user to select either network (wireless LAN communication) or USB communication by displaying the selection screen 150 on the display unit 102. The control unit 60 prompts the read control unit 105 to make a selection by displaying the selection screen 150 on the display unit 102. The user selects one of the desired communication units from the selection items 152, 152 in the list using the input operation unit 103, and then operates the OK button 156. On the selection screen 160 displayed on the display unit 20, a user who wants wireless LAN selects selection item 151, and a user who wants USB selects selection item 152. The control unit 60 receives the selection result that one of the communication units has been selected by operating the touch panel 21.

[0093] Prior to displaying the selection screen 160 shown in Figure 15, the control unit 60 searches for the communication unit of an external device 100 (PC 101) that can communicate with the electronic device 10. As a result of this search, the control unit 60 displays the selection screen 160 on the display unit 20, which includes a list of selection items 161 and 162 corresponding to the found communication unit. The selection screen 160 includes, as a result of the search, selection item 161, where the connection method is "Network," and selection item 162, where the connection method is "USB." On the selection screen 160, a user who wants wireless LAN selects selection item 161, and a user who wants "USB" selects selection item 162.

[0094] When the control unit 60 detects a connection to the USB communication unit 50, if either the wired LAN communication unit 30 or the wireless LAN communication unit 40 has already been selected, it prompts the user to select either the USB communication unit 50 or the already selected communication unit. In this case, the control unit 60 prompts the user to select either the USB communication unit 50 or the already selected communication unit using the display units 20 and 102, which function as notification units. In step S21 shown in Figure 13, the selection screens 150 and 160 prompt the user to select either the wireless LAN communication unit 40 or the USB communication unit 50. The user selects the wireless LAN communication unit 40 if they wish to use wireless LAN communication, or the USB communication unit 50 if they wish to use USB communication. The control unit 60 receives the selection result, in which one of the communication units has been selected, from the read control unit 105 based on the operation of the input operation unit 103.

[0095] In step S22, the control unit 60 determines whether or not wireless LAN is selected on the PC or touch panel. If wireless LAN is not selected, the control unit 60 proceeds to step S23; if wireless LAN is selected, it proceeds to step S25.

[0096] In step S23, the control unit 60 determines that the power supply destination is the USB communication unit. In the next step S24, the control unit 60 cuts off the power supply to the wired LAN communication unit 30 and the wireless LAN communication unit 40.

[0097] Thus, after prompting the user to select one of the options via the display unit 20, if the control unit 60 receives a selection of the USB communication unit 50, it does not supply power to the already selected wireless LAN communication unit 40 and the unselected wired LAN communication unit 30 (step S24). On the other hand, if the control unit 60 receives a selection of the already selected wireless LAN communication unit 40, it supplies power to the already selected wireless LAN communication unit 40 and does not supply power to the other communication unit, the unselected wired LAN communication unit 30 (step S26).

[0098] Furthermore, after prompting the PC 101's display unit 102 for selection, if the USB communication unit 50 is selected, the control unit 60 does not supply power to either the wired LAN communication unit 30 or the wireless LAN communication unit 40 (step S24). On the other hand, if the wireless LAN communication unit 40, which is the communication unit that has already been selected, is selected, the control unit 60 supplies power to the wireless LAN communication unit 40 and does not supply power to the wired LAN communication unit 30, which is the other communication unit that has not yet been selected (step S26).

[0099] When the control unit 60 detects a connection to the USB communication unit 50, which functions as a third communication unit, if the wireless LAN communication unit 40 has already been selected, the control unit 60 accepts the selection of either the USB communication unit 50 or the already selected wireless LAN communication unit 40. The control unit 60 then communicates with the accepted communication unit.

[0100] On the other hand, if a wired LAN is selected in step S17, the control unit 60 executes the processes in steps S28 to S32. These processes are basically the same, except that in steps S21 to S26, the communication unit already selected is the wired LAN communication unit 30, whereas in step S21 to S26 it is the wireless LAN communication unit 40.

[0101] In step S27, the control unit 60 displays a selection screen. When the control unit 60 detects communication with the read control unit 105 in the external device 100 (PC 101), it displays the selection screen 150 shown in Figure 14 on the display unit 102 of the PC 101. The control unit 60 also displays the selection screen 160 shown in Figure 15 on the display unit 20 of the electronic device 10. However, in Figure 14, the network selection item 151 is the selection item for wired LAN. Also, in Figure 15, the network selection item 161 is the selection item for wired LAN. By displaying the selection screens 150 and 160 on the display units 20 and 102, which function as notification units, the control unit 60 prompts the user to select one of the already selected wired LAN communication unit 30 or USB communication unit 50.

[0102] Users who wish to use wired LAN communication select the network (wired LAN) option 151 on selection screen 150 and then press the OK button 156. Alternatively, users select the network (wired LAN) option 161 on selection screen 160. On the other hand, users who wish to use USB communication select the USB option 152 on selection screen 150 and then press the OK button 156. Alternatively, users select the USB option 162 on selection screen 160.

[0103] In step S28, the control unit 60 determines whether a wired LAN connection has been selected on the PC or touch panel. If a wired LAN connection has not been selected, the control unit 60 proceeds to step S29; if a wired LAN connection has been selected, it proceeds to step S31.

[0104] In step S29, the control unit 60 determines that the power supply destination is the USB communication unit 50. In the next step S30, the control unit 60 cuts off the power supply to the wired LAN communication unit 30 and the wireless LAN communication unit 40.

[0105] Thus, after prompting a selection via the display unit 20, if the control unit 60 accepts the selection of the USB communication unit 50, it does not supply power to the wired LAN communication unit 30 that has already been selected and the wireless LAN communication unit 40 that has not yet been selected (step S30). On the other hand, if the control unit 60 accepts the selection of the wired LAN communication unit 30 that has already been selected, it supplies power to the wired LAN communication unit 30 that has already been selected and does not supply power to the other communication unit, the wireless LAN communication unit 40, which has not yet been selected (step S32).

[0106] Furthermore, after prompting the PC 101's display unit 102 for selection, if the USB communication unit 50, which is an example of a third communication unit, is selected, the control unit 60 does not supply power to the wired LAN communication unit 30 and the wireless LAN communication unit 40 (step S30). On the other hand, if the wired LAN communication unit 30, which is a communication unit that has already been selected, is selected, the control unit 60 supplies power to the wired LAN communication unit 30 and does not supply power to the wireless LAN communication unit 40, which is the other communication unit that has not yet been selected (step S32).

[0107] When the control unit 60 detects a connection to the USB communication unit 50, which functions as a third communication unit, if the wired LAN communication unit 30 has already been selected, the control unit 60 accepts the selection of either the USB communication unit 50 or the already selected wired LAN communication unit 30. The control unit 60 then communicates with the accepted communication unit.

[0108] When the USB communication unit 50, which functions as a third communication unit, is selected, the control unit 60 is in a state where it does not supply power to the already selected communication unit (steps S24, S30). In this state, when the detection unit no longer detects the connection of the USB communication unit 50 (negative determination in step S11), the control unit 60 supplies power to the already selected communication unit (steps S14, S16).

[0109] After the power supply to the wired LAN communication unit 30 and the wireless LAN communication unit 40 is cut off, if the electronic device 10 connects to another PC other than the PC 101, the user performs the following operations. The user selects a communication method setting item from the home screen displayed on the display unit 20, and touches one of the wireless communication selection unit 91 and the wired communication selection unit 92 that the user wants to use for communication on the communication setting screen 90 displayed on the display unit 20. The control unit 60 turns on the power supply to the one communication unit selected by the touch. Thus, the electronic device 10 becomes capable of communicating with other PCs.

[0110] <Regarding the USB power supply control routine> Next, referring to FIG. 16, the USB power supply control routine will be described. This routine is executed by the control unit 60 in order to control the USB power supplied to the selected USB communication unit 50 in the communication unit power supply control shown in FIG. 13.

[0111] First, in step S41, the control unit 60 determines whether or not it is determined for the USB communication unit 50. If it is not determined for the USB communication unit 50, the control unit 60 proceeds to step S42, and if it is determined for the USB communication unit 50, the control unit 60 proceeds to step S43.

[0112] In step S42, the control unit 60 cuts off the supply of USB power. The control unit 60 turns off the switch 62 in the USB communication unit 61. Thereby, the supply of the power supply power from the external device 100 to the USB communication unit 50 is stopped. In this case, for example, the power consumption of the external device 100 can be suppressed.

[0113] In step S43, the control unit 60 determines whether or not there is communication for a certain period. Specifically, the control unit 60 acquires the communication volume at regular intervals after starting communication via the USB communication unit 50, and determines whether or not the communication volume at regular intervals exceeds a threshold value. When the communication volume of the USB communication unit 50 at regular intervals is below the threshold value, it is determined that there is no communication for a certain period. If there is no communication for a certain period, the control unit 60 proceeds to step S44, and if there is communication within a certain period, the control unit 60 proceeds to step S45.

[0114] In step S44, the control unit 60 reduces the USB power. In this way, when the amount of communication at regular intervals falls below a threshold (negative determination in step S43), the control unit 60 reduces the power supplied to the USB communication unit 50. The control unit 60 instructs the USB communication unit 61 to operate the switch 62 intermittently. The USB communication unit 61 operates the switch 62 intermittently. By repeatedly turning the switch 62 ON and OFF, the USB communication unit 61 intermittently supplies power to the USB communication unit 50. The control unit 60 reduces the power supplied to the USB communication unit 50 by switching from continuous supply to intermittent supply. By reducing the power supplied to the USB communication unit 50, the power consumption of the external device 100 that supplies the power can be suppressed. Also, because the reduction is in the power supplied to the USB communication unit 50, the USB communication unit 61 can detect whether or not there is communication from the external device 100 to the USB communication unit 50.

[0115] In step S45, the control unit 60 supplies USB power. By keeping switch 62 in the ON state, the control unit 60 switches the USB power supply from intermittent to continuous. As a result, power at the power supply voltage from the external device 100 is supplied to the USB communication unit 50. In this way, after switching the power supply to the USB communication unit 61 to intermittent (step S44), the control unit 60 switches from intermittent to continuous when it detects communication from the USB communication unit 50. Note that the processing in step S43 during USB power reduction may be replaced with a process to determine whether or not communication has been detected. Also, the processing in step S43 may be the same during USB power supply and USB power reduction, or the threshold for the amount of communication during USB power reduction may be set to a smaller value than the threshold during USB power supply.

[0116] According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) The electronic device 10 includes a wired LAN communication unit 30 capable of communicating with an external device 100, a wireless LAN communication unit 40 capable of communicating with the external device 100, and a control unit 60. The control unit 60 supplies power to the selected communication unit of the wired LAN communication unit 30 and the wireless LAN communication unit 40, and does not supply power to the other communication unit that is not selected. With this configuration, power is not supplied to the other communication unit of the wireless LAN communication unit 40 and the wired LAN communication unit 30 that is not selected. Therefore, in an electronic device 10 equipped with a wired LAN communication unit 30 and a wireless LAN communication unit 40, the power consumption related to communication of the electronic device 10 can be suppressed compared to a configuration in which power is supplied to communication units that are not used for communication.

[0117] (2) The electronic device 10 includes a first switch 33 for turning on / off the power supply to the wired LAN communication unit 30, and a second switch 43 for turning on / off the power supply to the wireless LAN communication unit 40. The control unit 60 turns on the switch corresponding to the selected communication unit of the wired LAN communication unit 30 and the wireless LAN communication unit 40, and turns off the switch corresponding to the other communication unit that was not selected. With this configuration, by turning off the switch corresponding to the other communication unit that was not selected, the power supply to the other communication unit that was not selected is cut off. As a result, the power consumption of the electronic device 10 can be reduced compared to a configuration in which power is supplied to both the wired LAN and wireless LAN communication units.

[0118] (3) When the electronic device 10 is started up, the control unit 60 supplies power to the wired LAN communication unit 30 but does not supply power to the wireless LAN communication unit 40. With this configuration, when the electronic device 10 is started up, power to the wireless LAN communication unit 40 is cut off, so the power consumption of the electronic device 10 can be suppressed. In addition, for users who frequently use the wired LAN communication unit 30, the hassle of having to select whether to cut off power to the wireless LAN communication unit 40 each time is eliminated, making it easier to use.

[0119] (4) When the electronic device 10 is started up, the control unit 60 supplies power to the wireless LAN communication unit 40 but does not supply power to the wired LAN communication unit 30. With this configuration, when the electronic device 10 is started up, power to the wired LAN communication unit 30 is cut off, so the power consumption of the electronic device 10 can be suppressed. In addition, for users who frequently use the wireless LAN communication unit 40, the hassle of having to select whether to cut off power to the wired LAN communication unit 30 each time is eliminated, making it easier to use.

[0120] (5) The electronic device 10 has a USB communication unit 50, which is an example of a third communication unit other than the wired LAN communication unit 30 and the wireless LAN communication unit 40. The control unit 60 includes a USB communication unit 61, which is an example of a detection unit that detects a connectable external device 100 to the USB communication unit 50. The control unit 60 does not supply power to the wired LAN communication unit 30 and the wireless LAN communication unit 40 if the USB communication unit 61 detects a connection to the USB communication unit 50 and neither the wired LAN communication unit 30 nor the wireless LAN communication unit 40 is selected. With this configuration, when the electronic device 10 is started up or after it is started up, if a connectable external device 100 to the USB communication unit 50, which is an example of a third communication unit, power to the wireless LAN communication unit 40 and the wired LAN communication is cut off. Therefore, the power consumption related to communication of the electronic device 10 can be suppressed. For example, for users who frequently use the USB communication unit 50, the hassle of having to select whether to cut off power to the wireless LAN communication unit 40 and the wired LAN communication unit 30 each time is eliminated, making it more convenient to use.

[0121] (6) The electronic device 10 has a USB communication unit 50, which is an example of a third communication unit other than the wired LAN communication unit 30 and the wireless LAN communication unit 40. The control unit 60 includes a USB communication unit 61, which is an example of a detection unit that detects a connectable connection of an external device 100 to the USB communication unit 50. When the control unit 60 detects a connection to the USB communication unit 50, if the wireless LAN communication unit 40 or the wired LAN communication unit 30 has already been selected, it accepts the selection of either the USB communication unit 50 or the already selected communication unit. The control unit 60 communicates with the accepted communication unit. With this configuration, when a connection to the USB communication unit 50, which is an example of a third communication unit different from the already selected wired LAN communication unit 30 or the wireless LAN communication unit 40, is detected, it is possible to select either the USB communication unit 50 or the already selected communication unit to communicate. For example, even when communication between the electronic device 10 and the external device 100 via the USB communication unit 50 is selected, communication via the USB communication unit 50 can be performed while suppressing the power consumption related to the overall communication.

[0122] (7) When the control unit 60 detects a connection to the USB communication unit 50, which is an example of a third communication unit, the notification unit prompts the user to select either the USB communication unit 50 or the other communication unit that has already been selected. If the user selects the USB communication unit 50, the control unit 60 does not supply power to either the other communication unit that has already been selected or the other communication unit that has not yet been selected. In other words, if the control unit 60 accepts the selection of the USB communication unit 50, it does not supply power to either the wired LAN communication unit 30 or the wireless LAN communication unit 40. On the other hand, if the user selects one of the other communication units that has already been selected, the control unit 60 does not supply power to the other communication unit that has not yet been selected. With this configuration, when a connection to the USB communication unit 50 is detected, the power consumption related to communication of the electronic device 10 can be suppressed regardless of whether the USB communication unit 50 or the other communication unit that has already been selected is selected.

[0123] (8) When the control unit 60 receives a USB communication unit 50, which is an example of a third communication unit, it acquires the amount of communication at regular intervals after communication via the USB communication unit 50 has started. When the amount of communication at regular intervals falls below a threshold, the control unit 60 reduces the power supplied to the USB communication unit 50. With this configuration, even if the USB communication unit 50 is selected, the power supplied to the USB communication unit 50 is reduced when the amount of communication acquired at regular intervals falls below a threshold. Therefore, the power consumption related to the entire communication can be suppressed. Note that the reduction in power includes reducing the power to a value greater than zero and reducing the power to zero. In the former case, if the reduced power is sufficient to detect whether or not communication is being made by the USB communication unit 50, it is possible to return the power supplied to the USB communication unit 50 to its original value when communication with the external device 100 is detected.

[0124] (9) When the control unit 60 detects communication to the USB communication unit 50, which is an example of a third communication unit, it reduces the power supplied to the USB communication unit 50 by switching from continuous supply to intermittent supply. After switching to intermittent supply, if communication from the USB communication unit 50 is detected, it switches back to continuous supply. With this configuration, because it switches to intermittent supply, it is possible to detect whether or not there is communication to the USB communication unit 50 even after reducing the power. When communication from the USB communication unit 50 is detected, the power supplied to the USB communication unit 50 is returned to the original power before reduction, so that stable communication by the USB communication unit 50 can be achieved.

[0125] (10) The external device 100 includes a read control unit 105, which is an example of a second control unit; a second communication unit; a USB communication unit 50, which is an example of a third communication unit; a display unit 20 as a notification unit; and an input operation unit 103. The read control unit 105 gives instructions to the electronic device 10 via communication. The second communication unit is at least one of a second wired LAN communication unit 30 that can communicate with the wired LAN communication unit 30 of the electronic device 10, and a second wireless LAN communication unit 40 that can communicate with the wireless LAN communication unit 40. The USB communication unit 50 can communicate with the USB communication unit 50 on the electronic device 10 side. The control unit 60 prompts the read control unit 105 to make a selection by displaying a selection screen 160 on the display unit 20. The control unit 60 receives a selection result from the read control unit 105, in which either the USB communication unit 50 or one of the already selected communication units is selected by operation of the input operation unit 103. On the other hand, if the USB communication unit 50 is selected, the control unit 60 does not supply power to the wired LAN communication unit 30 and the wireless LAN communication unit 40. If the previously selected communication unit is selected, the control unit 60 supplies power to the already selected communication unit and does not supply power to the other communication unit that was not already selected. With this configuration, a user who instructs the electronic device 10 from an external device 100 can select one of the communication units by operating the input operation unit 103 on the selection screen 160 displayed on the display unit 102. Based on the selection result received from the read control unit 105 via communication, the control unit 60 supplies power to one of the communication units and does not supply power to the other communication unit. Therefore, the power consumption of the electronic device 10 can be suppressed.

[0126] (11) When the control unit 60 is in a state where it does not supply power to an already selected communication unit because the USB communication unit 50, which is an example of a third communication unit, has been selected, and the USB communication unit 61, which is an example of a detection unit, no longer detects the connection of the USB communication unit 50, the control unit 60 supplies power to the already selected communication unit. With this configuration, when the USB communication unit 50, which is an example of a third communication unit, is no longer detected as connected, power is supplied to the already selected communication unit, which is convenient for users who frequently use communication by the already selected communication unit.

[0127] (12) The electronic device 10 includes a display unit 20 and a touch panel 21, which is an example of an operation unit. The display unit 20 displays a communication setting screen 90 as a selection screen prompting the user to select one of the wired LAN communication unit 30 or the wireless LAN communication unit 40. The touch panel 21 is operated when selecting one of the wireless LAN communication unit 40 or the wired LAN communication unit 30. The control unit 60 displays the selection result, which is determined by the operation of the touch panel 21, on the display unit 20. With this configuration, the user can easily select the communication unit they want to use and easily see the selection result.

[0128] Furthermore, the above embodiment can be modified to a form such as the following modified example. In addition, the above embodiment and the following modified example can be appropriately combined to form a further modified example, and the following modified examples can be appropriately combined to form a further modified example.

[0129] The electronic device 10 does not need to have a third communication unit. In other words, the electronic device 10 may be configured to have only a wired LAN communication unit 30 and a wireless LAN communication unit 40. The third communication unit is not limited to the USB communication unit 50, which is a wired communication unit. The third communication unit may be a wired communication unit other than the USB communication unit 50, or a wireless communication unit. If the third communication unit is a wired communication unit, it may be a communication interface other than the USB communication unit 50. If the third communication unit is a wireless communication unit, it may be a short-range wireless communication unit such as a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit or an infrared communication unit. The third communication unit may also be a FireWire (registered trademark) communication unit or a Thunderbolt communication unit. In the case of these third communication units, if they are not selected on the selection screen, the configuration may be such that power is not supplied to the third communication unit.

[0130] The configuration for accepting selections from the selection screen 150 of the external device 100 may be eliminated. In this case, selections can still be accepted from the selection screen 160 displayed on the display unit 20 of the electronic device 10.

[0131] The configuration for accepting selections from the selection screen 160 displayed on the display unit 20 of the electronic device 10 may be eliminated. In this case, selections can still be accepted from the selection screen 150 of the external device 100.

[0132] Instead of having the user select items on selection screens 150 and 160 displayed on display units 20 and 102, it is also acceptable to simply display a message prompting the user to make a selection on display units 20 and 102. In this case, the user may open the selection screen from the home screen using the operation unit and select the item corresponding to the desired communication unit.

[0133] The configuration to be selected on selection screens 150 and 160 may be eliminated. Alternatively, the control unit 60 may select the USB communication unit 50 when the USB communication unit 61, which functions as a detection unit, detects a USB connection with an external device 100 via the USB cable 27. In other words, the control unit 60 may be configured to prioritize selecting the USB communication unit 50 when a USB connection is detected, even if the wired LAN communication unit 30 or the wireless LAN communication unit 40 has already been selected.

[0134] When reducing the power supplied to the USB communication unit 50, the configuration is not limited to switching from continuous supply to intermittent supply. The power supplied to the USB communication unit 50 may be reduced in two or more stages. For example, it may be a two-stage reduction of a specified power supply and a reduced power supply, or it may be a multi-stage reduction of a specified power supply and two or more reduced power supply stages.

[0135] • When reducing the power supply to the USB communication unit 50, the amount of power supplied may be "0" (zero). Each functional unit within the control unit 60 is not limited to being implemented by the CPU 80; for example, it may be implemented in hardware using electronic circuits such as ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits) and FPGAs (field-programmable gate arrays), or it may be implemented using both software and hardware. For example, some or all of the parts 81 to 88 that constitute the control unit 60 shown in Figure 5 may be implemented in hardware instead of software. For example, the control unit 60 may include an ASIC, and at least some or all of the parts 81 to 88 may be implemented by an ASIC or FPGA.

[0136] The electronic device 10 may be a flatbed-type image scanner 11 that does not have an automatic document feeder 14. The electronic device 10 may also be a sheet-feed-type image scanner 11 that does not have a flatbed configuration and reads documents fed by an automatic document feeder 14.

[0137] The electronic device 10 is not limited to the image reading device 11. For example, the electronic device 10 may be a multifunction device having both an image reading function and a printing function. Furthermore, the electronic device 10 may be a printing device that does not have an image reading function but has a printing function. In this case, the printing device may be for personal or home use, business use, or industrial use.

[0138] The electronic device 10 may be a video device such as a television, an audio device such as a stereo, or a home appliance such as a refrigerator, washing machine, or cooking appliance. The electronic device 10 may also be a camera, watch, smart glasses, etc. Furthermore, the electronic device 10 may be a device used as an external device 100 in the above embodiment, such as a PC, smartphone, mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), tablet PC, etc.

[0139] The technical concepts and effects derived from the above embodiments and modified examples are described below. [1] The electronic device comprises a wired LAN communication unit capable of communicating with an external device, a wireless LAN communication unit capable of communicating with an external device, and a control unit, wherein the control unit supplies power to one of the selected communication units from the wired LAN communication unit and the wireless LAN communication unit, and does not supply power to the other communication unit that is not selected.

[0140] In this configuration, power is not supplied to the other communication unit that is not selected from the wired LAN communication unit and the wireless LAN communication unit. Therefore, in electronic devices equipped with a wired LAN communication unit and a wireless LAN communication unit, power consumption related to communication can be reduced compared to a configuration in which power is supplied to the communication unit that is not used for communication.

[0141] [2] The electronic device described in [1] above includes a first switch for switching the supply / cutoff of power to the wired LAN communication unit and a second switch for switching the supply / cutoff of power to the wireless LAN communication unit, wherein the control unit may turn ON the switch corresponding to the one communication unit among the first and second switches, and OFF the switch corresponding to the other communication unit that is not selected, when one of the wired LAN communication unit and the wireless LAN communication unit is selected. With this configuration, the power supply to the other communication unit that is not selected is cut off. As a result, the power consumption of the electronic device 10 can be reduced compared to a configuration in which power is supplied to both the wired LAN and wireless LAN communication units.

[0142] [3] In the electronic device described in [1] or [2] above, when the electronic device is started up, the control unit may supply power to the wired LAN communication unit but not to the wireless LAN communication unit. With this configuration, when the electronic device is started up, the power supply to the wireless LAN communication unit is cut off, so the power consumption of the electronic device can be suppressed. In addition, for users who frequently use the wired LAN communication unit, the hassle of having to select whether to cut off power to the wireless LAN communication unit each time is eliminated, making it easier to use.

[0143] [4] In the electronic device described in [1] or [2] above, when the electronic device is started up, the control unit may supply power to the wireless LAN communication unit but not to the wired LAN communication unit. With this configuration, when the electronic device is started up, power to the wired LAN communication unit is cut off, so the power consumption of the electronic device can be suppressed. In addition, for users who frequently use the wireless LAN communication unit, the hassle of having to select whether to cut off power to the wired LAN communication unit each time is eliminated, making it easier to use.

[0144] [5] An electronic device as described in any one of [1] to [4] above, comprising a third communication unit other than the wired LAN communication unit and the wireless LAN communication unit, and a detection unit for detecting a communicationable connection of an external device to the third communication unit, wherein the control unit does not need to supply power to the wired LAN communication unit and the wireless LAN communication unit if the detection unit detects the connection to the third communication unit and neither the wired LAN communication unit nor the wireless LAN communication unit is selected.

[0145] With this configuration, when an external device is detected to be able to communicate with the third communication unit during or after the electronic device is started up, power to the wireless LAN communication unit and wired LAN communication unit is cut off. Therefore, power consumption related to communication in the electronic device can be reduced. For example, for users who frequently use the third communication unit, the hassle of having to select whether to cut off power to the wireless LAN communication unit and wired LAN communication unit each time is eliminated, making it more convenient to use.

[0146] [6] An electronic device as described in any one of [1] to [4] above, comprising a third communication unit other than the wired LAN communication unit and the wireless LAN communication unit, and a detection unit for detecting a communicationable connection of an external device to the third communication unit, wherein when the control unit detects the connection to the third communication unit, if the wired LAN communication unit or the wireless LAN communication unit has already been selected, the control unit may prompt the user to select either the third communication unit or the already selected communication unit via a notification unit, and then, upon receiving the selection of one of the communication units, communicate with the selected communication unit.

[0147] With this configuration, when a connection to the third communication unit is detected, communication can be performed by selecting either the third communication unit or the already selected communication unit. For example, even when selecting communication between an electronic device and an external device via the third communication unit, communication can be performed via the third communication unit while suppressing the overall power consumption of the communication.

[0148] [7] In the electronic device described in [6] above, when the control unit detects the connection to the third communication unit, it prompts the notification unit to select one of the communication units, and if the selection of the third communication unit is accepted, it does not need to supply power to the one communication unit that has already been selected and the other communication unit that has not already been selected. If the selection of the already selected communication unit is accepted, it does not need to supply power to the other communication unit that has not already been selected. With this configuration, when a connection to the third communication unit is detected, the power consumption related to communication of the electronic device can be suppressed regardless of whether the third communication unit or the one communication unit that has already been selected is selected.

[0149] [8] In the electronic device described in [6] above, the one that the control unit receives is the third communication unit, and the control unit may acquire the amount of communication at regular intervals after starting communication via the third communication unit, and when the amount of communication at regular intervals falls below a threshold, it may reduce the power supplied to the third communication unit.

[0150] With this configuration, even if the third communication unit is selected, the power supplied to the third communication unit is reduced when the amount of communication acquired at regular intervals falls below a threshold. Therefore, the power consumption of electronic devices can be suppressed. Note that power reduction includes reducing the power to a value greater than zero and reducing the power to zero. In the former case, for example, if the reduced power is sufficient to detect whether or not there is communication with the third communication unit, it is possible to return the power supplied to the third communication unit to its original value when communication with an external device is detected.

[0151] [9] In the electronic device described in [8] above, the control unit may reduce the power supplied to the third communication unit by switching from continuous supply to intermittent supply when the amount of communication falls below a threshold, and after switching to intermittent supply, if it detects communication from the third communication unit, it may switch back to continuous supply.

[0152] With this configuration, since the power supply is switched to intermittent mode, it is possible to detect whether or not there is communication with the third communication unit even after the power has been reduced. When communication with the third communication unit is detected, the power supplied to the third communication unit is returned to its original level before the reduction, thereby enabling stable communication by the third communication unit.

[0153]

[10] In the electronic device described in [6] above, the external device comprises a second control unit that gives instructions to the electronic device via communication, a second communication unit which is at least one of a second wired LAN communication unit that can communicate with the wired LAN communication unit of the electronic device and a second wireless LAN communication unit that can communicate with the wireless LAN communication unit, a third communication unit on the external device side that can communicate with the third communication unit on the electronic device side, a display unit as a notification unit, and an input operation unit, wherein the control unit prompts the second control unit to make a selection by displaying a selection screen on the display unit, and receives a selection result from the second control unit in which either the third communication unit or the already selected communication unit is selected by operation of the input operation unit, and if the third communication unit is selected, power is not supplied to the wired LAN communication unit and the wireless LAN communication unit, and if the already selected communication unit is selected, power is supplied to the already selected communication unit, and power is not supplied to the other communication unit that was not already selected.

[0154] In this configuration, a user giving instructions to an electronic device from an external device can select one of the communication units by operating the input unit on a selection screen displayed on the external device's display unit. The control unit supplies power to one communication unit and not to the other communication unit based on the selection result received from the second control unit via communication. Therefore, the power consumption of the electronic device can be reduced.

[0155]

[11] In the electronic device described in [7] above, the control unit may supply power to the already selected communication unit when the detection unit no longer detects the connection of the third communication unit, while the control unit is not supplying power to the already selected communication unit due to the selection of the third communication unit. With this configuration, power is supplied to the already selected communication unit when the connection of the third communication unit is no longer detected, which is convenient for users who frequently use communication by the already selected communication unit.

[0156]

[12] An electronic device according to any one of [1] to

[11] above, comprising a display unit that displays a selection screen prompting the user to select one of the wired LAN communication unit and the wireless LAN communication unit, and an operation unit that is operated when selecting one of the wired LAN communication unit and the wireless LAN communication unit, wherein the control unit may display the selection result of the one selected by the operation of the operation unit on the display unit. With this configuration, the user can easily select the communication unit they want to use and can easily see the selection result. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0157] 10…Electronic device, 11…Image reader, 12…Main unit, 12A…Front, 12B…Right side, 12C…Left side, 12D…Rear, 12E…Port location area, 12F…Housing, 13…Cover, 13A…Handle, 14…Automatic document feeder, 15…Platen glass, 16…Document support, 17…Feeding section, 17A…Feeding slot, 18…Edge guide, 19…Ejection section, 20…Display section, 21…Touch panel, 22…Power switch, 23…Scanning section, 24…Communication section, 25…Power supply section, 25A…Power port, 26…LAN cable, 26A…Plug, 27…USB cable, 27A…Plug, 28…Power cable, 28A…Power plug, 30…Wired LAN communication section, 30A…LAN port, 31…EthernetIC, 32... Connector, 33... Wired LAN load switch (first switch), 34... Power line, 35... Signal line, 36... Signal line, 37... Power line, 38... Signal line, 40... Wireless LAN communication unit, 41... Wi-Fi module, 42... Wi-Fi connector, 43... Wireless LAN load switch (second switch), 44... Power line, 45... Signal line, 46... Signal line, 47... Power line, 48... Signal line, 50... USB interface (USB communication unit), 50A... USB port, 51... Power line, 52... Signal line, 53... Signal line, 54... Ground line, 60...Control Unit, 60A...USB Communication Control Unit, 61...USB Communication Unit, 62...Switch, 65...RAM, 70...ROM, 70A...Non-volatile Memory, 71...Scan Setting Acceptance Program, 72...Wired LAN Load Switch Control Program, 73...Wireless LAN Load Switch Control Program, 74...USB Insertion Detection Program, 75...Communication Unit Selection Acceptance Program, 76...Communication Unit Identification Program, 77...Communication Volume Detection Program, 78...Power Supply Volume Control Program, 80...CPU, 81...Scan Setting Acceptance Unit, 82...Wired LAN N load switch control unit, 83... Wireless LAN load switch control unit, 84... USB insertion detection unit, 85... Communication unit selection reception unit, 86... Communication unit identification unit, 87... Communication volume detection unit, 88... Power supply volume control unit, 90... Communication setting screen, 91... Wireless communication selection unit, 92... Wired communication selection unit, 93... Highlighting unit, 95... Communication setting information, 100... External device, 101... PC, 102... Display unit, 103... Input operation unit, 104... USB communication unit, 105... Read control unit, which is an example of a second control unit, 110... USB interface (USB communication unit), 110 A...USB port, 111...Power line, 112...Signal line, 113...Signal line, 114...Ground line, 120...Second wired LAN communication unit, 130...Second wireless LAN communication unit, 150...Selection screen, 151...Selection item, 152...Selection item, 153...Add button, 154...Delete button, 155...Update button, 156...OK button, 157...Cancel button, 160...Selection screen, 161...Selection item, 162...Selection item, 271...Power line, 272...Signal line, 273...Signal line, 274...Ground line, D...Document, X...Width direction, Y1...Conveyor direction.

Claims

1. A wired LAN communication unit capable of communicating with external devices, A wireless LAN communication unit capable of communicating with external devices, It comprises a control unit and, The control unit is an electronic device that supplies power to one of the selected communication units, the wired LAN communication unit and the wireless LAN communication unit, but does not supply power to the other communication unit that is not selected.

2. In the electronic device described in claim 1, A first switch for switching the power supply / cutoff to the wired LAN communication unit, It includes a second switch for switching the supply / cutoff of power to the wireless LAN communication unit, The control unit is an electronic device that, when one of the wired LAN communication unit and the wireless LAN communication unit is selected, turns ON the switch corresponding to the one of the first and second switches and turns OFF the switch corresponding to the other communication unit that is not selected.

3. In the electronic device according to claim 1, When the aforementioned electronic device was started up, The control unit is an electronic device that supplies power to the wired LAN communication unit but does not supply power to the wireless LAN communication unit.

4. In the electronic device described in claim 1, When the aforementioned electronic device was started up, The control unit is an electronic device that supplies power to the wireless LAN communication unit but does not supply power to the wired LAN communication unit.

5. In the electronic device described in claim 1, A third communication unit other than the wired LAN communication unit and the wireless LAN communication unit, A detection unit for detecting a communication-enabled connection of the external device to the third communication unit, It has, The control unit is an electronic device that, if the detection unit detects the connection to the third communication unit and neither the wired LAN communication unit nor the wireless LAN communication unit is selected, does not supply power to the wired LAN communication unit and the wireless LAN communication unit.

6. In the electronic device described in claim 1, A third communication unit other than the wired LAN communication unit and the wireless LAN communication unit, A detection unit for detecting a communication-enabled connection of the external device to the third communication unit, It has, The control unit, When the connection to the third communication unit is detected, if the wired LAN communication unit or the wireless LAN communication unit has already been selected, the notification unit prompts the user to select either the third communication unit or the one of the already selected communication units. An electronic device that, after being prompted by the notification unit, accepts a selection from either the third communication unit or the previously selected communication unit, and then communicates with the selected communication unit.

7. In the electronic device according to claim 6, The control unit, When the connection to the third communication unit is detected, the notification unit prompts the user to select one of the two options, When the selection of the third communication unit is accepted, power is not supplied to the one communication unit that has already been selected and the other communication unit that has not yet been selected. An electronic device that, upon receiving the selection of one of the previously selected communication units, does not supply power to the other communication unit that was not previously selected.

8. In the electronic device according to claim 6, The control unit receives the aforementioned one which is the third communication unit, The control unit is an electronic device that, after initiating communication via the third communication unit, acquires the amount of communication at regular intervals, and reduces the power supplied to the third communication unit when the amount of communication at each regular interval falls below a threshold.

9. In the electronic device according to claim 8, The control unit, When the amount of communication falls below a threshold, the power supplied to the third communication unit is reduced by switching from continuous supply to intermittent supply. An electronic device that, after switching to the intermittent supply mode, detects communication from the third communication unit and then switches to the continuous supply mode.

10. In the electronic device according to claim 6, The aforementioned external device is A second control unit that gives instructions to the electronic device via communication, A second communication unit which is at least one of a second wired LAN communication unit capable of communicating with the wired LAN communication unit of the electronic device and a second wireless LAN communication unit capable of communicating with the wireless LAN communication unit, The third communication unit on the electronic device side and the third communication unit on the external device side that can communicate with each other, The aforementioned notification unit is a display unit, It includes an input operation unit, The control unit, The second control unit is prompted to make the selection by displaying a selection screen on the display unit. The second control unit receives a selection result from the second control unit indicating that either the third communication unit or one of the previously selected communication units has been selected based on the operation of the input operation unit. If the third communication unit is selected, power will not be supplied to the wired LAN communication unit and the wireless LAN communication unit. An electronic device that, if the previously selected communication unit is selected, supplies power to the previously selected communication unit, and does not supply power to the other communication unit that was not previously selected.

11. In the electronic device according to claim 7, The control unit is an electronic device that, when the detection unit stops detecting the connection of the third communication unit, and the control unit is in a state where it does not supply power to the already selected communication unit because the third communication unit has been selected, supplies power to the already selected communication unit.

12. In the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, A display unit that displays a selection screen prompting the user to choose either the wired LAN communication unit or the wireless LAN communication unit, An operating unit used when selecting either the wired LAN communication unit or the wireless LAN communication unit, Equipped with, The control unit is an electronic device that displays the selection result, which is obtained by operating the operation unit, on the display unit.

Images